STOCKPORT'S political leaders are storming Downing Street today (Wednesday) in a bid to get the town's Metrolink plans back on track.

Council boss and Liberal Democrat Mark Hunter will be leading the delegation, which will include representatives from the town's Labour and Conservative parties as well as Stockport Council's representatives from the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA).

The lobby, which has been organised by the GMPTA, will take more than 150 people to London today.

It is hoped the congregation of councillors, business and trade union representatives will force the government to change its mind about the cancellation of funding for the Metrolink expansion, known as the 'big bang'.

Following news transport secretary Alistair Darling had scrapped plans to extend Metrolink, the Stockport Express launched a campaign to get the project back on track.

Thousands of Stopford- ians signed the Express petition and editor Mandy Leigh travelled to Downing Street to hand over the document.

A decision on Metrolink is expected before Christmas, with transport bosses and MPs from across the region predicting the government will either undergo a dramatic u-turn and strike a deal for expansion, or reject plans for a second time.

Stockport council leader Mark Hunter said: "We are taking our message right to the top. It's a further attempt to get the government to reverse its decision. Metrolink is important to the borough. The line from East Didsbury to Stockport will help to regenerate important parts of this area, including the town centre. It will also greatly assist in reducing traffic congestion along that road corridor.

"Metrolink is a key part of this council's ambitious 'masterplan', which was launched last week, to radically transform and modernise the entire town centre over the next 10 - 15 years. We feel strongly about it and we are making sure our views are known."